Course Summary

Description

This course focuses on the context and interpretation of biblical and pseudepigraphal texts, along with the study of biblical languages. Durham has a long tradition of outstanding biblical scholarship, providing a wide range of distinctive approaches to biblical studies, including historical, critical and theological.

Course Structure

The Bible and Hermeneutics core module

Three option modules

Dissertation.

Core Modules

The Bible and Hermeneutics

Dissertation.

Optional Modules

Optional Modules in previous years have included:

2-3 choices from:

Advanced Hebrew Texts

Advanced Aramaic

Middle Egyptian

The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament

Gospels and Canon

Plus up to 1 choice from:

Paul and his Interpreters

Patristic Exegesis

Patristic Ecclesiology

Christian Northumbria 600-750

The Anglican Theological Vision

Classic Texts in Christian Theology

Liturgy and Sacramentality

Conceiving Change in Contemporary Catholicism

Twentieth-Century Catholic Theology

Christian Gender

Principles of Theological Ethics

Theology, Ethics and Medicine

Social Scientific Methods in the Study of Religion

Ritual, Symbolism and Belief in the Anthropology of Religion

Literature and Religion

Catholic Social Thought

Ecclesiology and Ethnography

Doctrine of Creation

Selected modules from the MA in Theology and Ministry programme

Level 3 undergraduate module, or any Level 1 – 2 language module offered by the Department of Theology and Religion, taken in conjunction with the Extended Study in Theology & Religion module

Course Detail

To find out more about the modules available to students studying at
Durham University please click here.

Please note:
Current modules are indicative. Information for future academic years
may change, for example, due to developments in the relevant academic
field, or in light of student feedback.

Course Learning and Teaching

Most MA teaching is delivered through small group seminars and tutorials. These exemplify and encourage the various skills and practices required for independent scholarly engagement with texts and issues. Teaching in the Department of Theology & Religion is ‘research led’ at both BA and MA levels, but particularly at MA level. Research led teaching is informed by staff research, but more importantly it aims to develop students as independent researchers themselves, able to pursue and explore their own research interests and questions. This is why the independently researched MA dissertation is the culmination of the MA programme. Such engagement with texts and issues is not only an excellent preparation for doctoral research, it also develops those skills of critical analysis, synthesis and presentation sought and required by employers.

Many MA classes will contain a ‘lecture’ element, conveying information and exemplifying an approach to the subject-matter that will enable students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and improve their own ability to analyse and evaluate information and arguments. Seminars enhance knowledge and understanding through preparation and interaction with other students and staff, promoting awareness of and respect for different viewpoints and approaches, and developing skills of articulacy, advocacy and interrogation. Through small group discussions and tutorials, feedback is provided on student work, with the opportunity to discuss specific issues in detail, enhancing student knowledge and writing skills.

The Dissertation module includes training in generic research skills, from the use of the Library to issues in referencing and bibliography. The subject specific core module introduces students to questions of interpretation and argument in the disciplines encompassed by theology and religion, and helps them to develop their own interests and questions that will issue in the MA dissertation. The latter is a piece of independent research, but it is fostered and guided through individual tutorials with a supervisor, with whom students meet throughout the academic year.

Admissions Process

Subject requirements, level and grade

The standard entry requirement is a BA (Honours) degree (UK 2:1 or equivalent, for example, a GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale)in Theology, Religious Studies or a related discipline. The two principal exceptions to this rule are as follows: graduates of other disciplines who have studied at undergraduate or equivalent level in one or more of the areas in which they hope to work, through their first degrees, through training for the ministry of the churches, and so on; students from overseas universities who have successfully reached a point in their theological studies comparable with completion of a British BA at the standard noted above - for example, on the German model, passing the Zwischenprüfung or Kolloquium and two semesters at the Hauptseminar level.

When applying, please ensure that your two chosen referees send their confidential academic references (using the reference form [Word]) to us in a timely manner. Please note that we are unable to accept ‘open’ references submitted by yourself. The referees may send the references by email directly from their institutional email addresses to theo.pgadmissions@durham.ac.uk provided they are signed, or by post to the address provided on the reference form.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 7.0 (with no component under 6.5) or equivalent scores in an alternative accepted English language test. Details of alternative accepted tests and the requirements for your subject and level of study can be found here. In some cases, English language proficiency can also be evidenced in other ways. You can find further information regarding this, here.

Scholarships and funding

Career Opportunities

Department of Theology and Religion

A significant number of our graduates find employment in academic institutions (universities and seminaries) around the world. For some examples of academic careers in Theology launched at Durham, please click here.

Others go into teaching, church ministry, the caring professions, and many other professional fields.

For further information on career options and employability, including the results of the Destination of Leavers survey, student and employer testimonials and details of work experience and study abroad opportunities, please click here.

Open days and visits

Pre-application open day

Overseas Visit Schedule

Postgraduate Visits

Department Information

Department of Theology and Religion

Overview

The Department of Theology and Religion is highly ranked in a number of UK university league tables. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), we were rated the leading department in its field in the UK, maintaining the premier position we had achieved in the previous Research Assessment Exercise. Our graduate prospects rating (88 per cent) is not only the highest in the UK for our subject, but is also higher than that of any department of English, History, Philosophy or Classics. The Department has world-leading scholars in all areas, attracting a large, vibrant and internationally diverse community of postgraduate students. Our postgraduate students benefit from regular research seminars and conferences and colloquia that place Durham at the centre of international scholarship. Also available for postgraduates is a professional development and training programme, which includes opportunities to work as a teaching or research assistant. Our home, Abbey House, is right next door to Durham Cathedral, and is a beautiful and inspiring place to pursue research in Theology and Religion.

Ranking

Ranked 1st in the UK for Internationally Excellent and World-Leading research and joint 1st for both impact and research environment in REF 2014.